atoms

IPA/ˈæt.əm/
KK[ˈætəmz]IPA/ˈæt̬.əm/

atoms — noun

  • atomssingular
  • atomsesplural

1. Atoms are the smallest pieces of a chemical element that still behave like that

1.名詞B1
釋義

Atoms are the smallest pieces of a chemical element that still behave like that element. Each atom has a dense centre carrying a positive charge, called a nucleus, with negative electrons moving around it.

例句

Daichi's science project showed how carbon atoms form long chains called polymers.

carbon atoms form chains called polymers

The chemistry teacher drew a diagram of two oxygen atoms bonding to form O₂.

atoms bonding to form molecules

同義詞
  • particle

    A much broader term — 'particle' can refer to any tiny piece of matter, including subatomic ones like electrons. An atom is one specific type of particle.

  • molecule

    A molecule is two or more atoms bonded together. The two terms describe different levels of matter (atom vs. combination of atoms).

文法句型

atom of [element]

atoms in [structure]

用法筆記

Although 'atom' is a countable noun, the plural form 'atoms' is extremely common when discussing matter in general. The word is frequently paired with element names (carbon atoms, oxygen atoms) and appears in scientific descriptions of molecular structure.

常見錯誤

❌Scientists once thought the atom was a solid ball that could not be split.
✅Scientists once thought the atom was a solid, indivisible sphere.
💡The outdated idea was that atoms could not be split, not that they were literally solid balls like marbles.

2. An extremely small amount or piece of something, used especially in negative sen

2.名詞B2
釋義

An extremely small amount or piece of something, used especially in negative sentences to express that there is none at all — for example, 'not an atom of truth' means no truth whatsoever.

例句

Zola's story contained not an atom of truth, so the judge dismissed her claim.

not an atom of truth

There is not an atom of evidence to support the accusation against the mayor.

同義詞
  • bit

    More general and common; 'bit' works with both concrete and abstract nouns (a bit of bread, a bit of luck), while 'atom' in this sense is restricted to abstract nouns in negative patterns.

  • speck

    'Speck' suggests a visible tiny particle (a speck of dust) and is used more literally than the figurative 'atom'.

  • trace

    'Trace' implies a small remaining amount of something, often in neutral or positive statements, whereas 'atom' is almost always negative.

  • grain

    'Grain' is used with both concrete (grain of sand, grain of salt) and abstract nouns (grain of truth), but the abstract use is less strongly tied to negation than 'atom'.

文法句型

not an atom of + [abstract noun]

any atom of + [abstract noun]

用法筆記

This figurative sense appears almost exclusively in negative constructions — 'not an atom of' — or in questions and conditions using 'any'. The noun that follows must be abstract (truth, evidence, kindness, meaning), never a concrete physical object.

常見錯誤

❌There is not an atom of rice left in the bowl.
✅There is not a grain of rice left in the bowl.
💡The figurative 'atom' is only used with abstract nouns (truth, mercy, evidence), not physical items like food or sand.